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The problem of non-recyclable discarded umbrellas may soon be reduced with a new model made entirely with recyclable plastic that now has the funding to go into production. The Gingko umbrella from Italian designer Federico Venturi and mechanical engineer Gianluca Savalli is fashioned from PP plastic and has just 20 parts rather than the 120 that typically go into conventional umbrellas.

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The recent Energy Bag Pilot Program in California showed that non-recycled plastic can be used to create synthetic crude oil, writes Jeff Wooster, global sustainability director for Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics. "Together, we can educate policy makers and the general public about this untapped opportunity," he adds. The pilot was a collaboration among the American Chemistry Council, Dow Chemical and other groups.

A new umbrella incorporates engineering, polypropylene, Bosch hinges and simplicity to solve the problem of conventional umbrellas that collapse in gusty winds. The Ginkgo umbrella, with only 20 parts, from designer Federico Venturi and mechanical engineer Gianluca Savalli also has the advantage of being completely recyclable.

U.S. candy maker Just Born reduced its waste dramatically after implementing reusing and recycling programs at its headquarters and production plant. The company is now 100% waste-free with the addition of a Sustainable Waste Solutions trash compactor, which takes non-recyclable items and transforms them into energy.

A chemistry breakthrough could lead to the development of biodegradable plastics that can be recycled more than once, announced researchers from IBM and Stanford. The discovery could help break a cycle that currently sees many bottles recycled into non-recyclable products, which are in turn ultimately disposed of in landfills.